The Vote's the Thing

I thought it was timely that our local town election coincided with bin Laden’s death.  I think a lot about the men and women in our military that fight to keep us safe and free.  I remember women like Alice Paul and Susan B. Anthony who fought for women’s right to vote. (Full disclosure, as a young girl I used to read those historical fiction romance books from Sunfire, and there was one called Laura (same name as me!) about a girl who got involved in the suffrage movement, so perhaps I do have a romanticized view of things.) Anyway, I treasure our democracy and even though I don’t always agree with it – and am often frustrated by it, I still believe that I have a voice and that I can use it to help make our community, our country and yes, maybe the world, a better place. 

One of the things I take most seriously as an American is my right to vote. Each election day, I get giddy with excitement. Every time I approach the people at the check in table I am nervous that for some reason my name isn’t going to be listed, and I won’t be able to vote. In a few of the most recent elections, I’ve actually cried as I voted.  So yes – I take voting very seriously. Even if it is just a local election as ours was this week.

 So, I’m surprised that not everyone shares my joy of voting. I have to admit that I was dismayed to learn that only about 15% of the electorate in Grafton turned out to vote. Which means 85% of the people in town who could vote, didn’t. So, if you didn’t vote on Monday, I’m interested in knowing why you didn’t vote. And does anyone else feel as passionate as voting as me? Let me know in the comments below! And next time, I hope to see you at the polls!